Where to Find Support When You Have Vaginal Cancer
Doing two things often makes it easier to deal with your feelings about cancer. The first is to learn more about the cancer and you have. The second is to get support from others. Your healthcare team can answer your questions. Talking with friends and family or others who have had cancer can help. Meeting with a social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or member of the clergy may also help you talk about your feelings.
Recognizing your feelings can help you cope with them. That may help ease some of your symptoms and side effects. Pain, for instance, gets worse with stress. Many cancer patients attend support groups. There, they share what they’ve learned about cancer and its treatments. Here are some ways you may find support.
- Talk with a nurse or social worker at your hospital or clinic. Ask them to suggest a local or national support group. Groups offer many kinds of support. One group may offer emotional support. Another may offer information or financial aid. You may find groups that provide transportation, home care, or other services.
- Call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service. The number is 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). They have information on resources.
- Call the American Cancer Society. The number is 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345). This organization helps patients and their families.